Original Post Date - Wednesday, May 28, 2008
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19
These verses have been the center of controversy for generations. The account of the creation of the sun and moon are preceded in Scripture by the creation of light. Does this mean there was another source of light?
In the Book of Revelation it says that God’s presence will be our light in the eternal Kingdom and we won’t need the sun. Could it have been that when the Spirit of God hovered over the earth that the sheer presence of the Divine brought light to the planet?
Some scholars have also argued that the sequence of Creation in Scripture doesn’t mean that the sun wasn’t created before light. Hebrew writings are often not chronological. We see this in the Gospels. Some of the gospel writers were concerned about grouping the events of Jesus’ life by topic more than in giving an accurate timeline of when things happened.
The sun, moon and stars are our constant companions. They remind us of the greatness of our God. They are essential to the balance of the earth – the sun providing light and energy and the moon providing light and the ocean tides. The stars, consequently, leave us in suspense of how great God really is.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
THERE IS NO LIFE WITHOUT PLANTS
Original Post Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seeds in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plangs bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the third day. Genesis 1:11-13
Plants - we'd be in serious trouble without them. We eat them. They are used to build our homes. They feed our livestock. Even in the ocean and desert, they are essential to life. They had to be created before animals or the animals couldn't have survived. In one day, the earth went from a void to a beautiful garden.
Plans are very resilient. As soon as humans vacate a spot, plants grow almost immediately. They grow up through concrete, literally marking their turf. They are survivors - coming fully back to life after along winter and breaking into our water pipes when we've stolen all the ground water. They're bold - showing up when they're not wanted and stealing the show when they are wanted. Sometimes they require the help of animals to pollinate them or expand their territory, but mostly they'd be just as content if we weren't here.
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seeds in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plangs bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the third day. Genesis 1:11-13
Plants - we'd be in serious trouble without them. We eat them. They are used to build our homes. They feed our livestock. Even in the ocean and desert, they are essential to life. They had to be created before animals or the animals couldn't have survived. In one day, the earth went from a void to a beautiful garden.
Plans are very resilient. As soon as humans vacate a spot, plants grow almost immediately. They grow up through concrete, literally marking their turf. They are survivors - coming fully back to life after along winter and breaking into our water pipes when we've stolen all the ground water. They're bold - showing up when they're not wanted and stealing the show when they are wanted. Sometimes they require the help of animals to pollinate them or expand their territory, but mostly they'd be just as content if we weren't here.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
GATHERING OF THE WATERS
Originally Posted - Thursday, April 3, 2008
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning – the second day. And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "Land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:6-10
Water is an essential element for all life. The verses above indicate that there was water already on the earth when God began His creation. Water alone distinguishes our planet from all the others in our solar system.
It is no wonder that water is used symbolically so much in the Bible. Baptism, the rite of passage for a new believer, uses water as a symbol of cleansing and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel, water is used as a symbol of God’s presence, sustainment and blessing as it flows out from the throne of God. Jesus Himself used water as a symbol of humility and service when He washed the disciples’ feet and as a symbol for eternal life in his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.
Water, just like God, has mysterious beginnings and is essential to survival. It’s in everything and affects everything.
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning – the second day. And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "Land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:6-10
Water is an essential element for all life. The verses above indicate that there was water already on the earth when God began His creation. Water alone distinguishes our planet from all the others in our solar system.
It is no wonder that water is used symbolically so much in the Bible. Baptism, the rite of passage for a new believer, uses water as a symbol of cleansing and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel, water is used as a symbol of God’s presence, sustainment and blessing as it flows out from the throne of God. Jesus Himself used water as a symbol of humility and service when He washed the disciples’ feet and as a symbol for eternal life in his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.
Water, just like God, has mysterious beginnings and is essential to survival. It’s in everything and affects everything.
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